Always feeling shivery and cold can be more than just a reaction to chilly weather; it may indicate underlying health issues or lifestyle factors that affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Experiencing persistent coldness, even in warm environments, can impact daily life, reduce comfort, and signal that something more serious is happening internally. Understanding the causes, identifying symptoms, and knowing potential remedies can help individuals manage this condition effectively. By exploring medical, nutritional, and environmental factors, one can gain a clearer understanding of why the body may feel unusually cold and how to address it.
Common Causes of Feeling Cold and Shivery
There are multiple reasons why someone might always feel shivery and cold. These causes can range from medical conditions to lifestyle habits and environmental factors. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step in finding relief.
1. Low Body Weight or Fat Levels
Body fat acts as insulation, helping to maintain internal body temperature. Individuals with low body fat may feel colder than others because their bodies have less natural insulation. Low weight can reduce the ability to retain heat, leading to shivering and persistent cold sensations.
2. Poor Circulation
Poor blood flow can prevent warmth from reaching extremities like hands and feet, making individuals feel cold. Conditions such as peripheral artery disease, diabetes, or other cardiovascular issues can affect circulation and contribute to constant coldness and shivering.
3. Anemia
Anemia, or a deficiency of red blood cells, limits the body’s capacity to carry oxygen to tissues. Reduced oxygen transport can result in fatigue, weakness, and feeling cold. Iron-deficiency anemia is a common form that often leads to chronic cold sensations and shivering.
4. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism and energy production, which are essential for maintaining body heat. People with hypothyroidism often experience sensitivity to cold, shivering, and fatigue.
5. Infections and Fever
Sometimes feeling shivery can be a response to infections. When the body fights a bacterial or viral infection, it can trigger chills and shivering, even if the external environment is warm. Fever is often accompanied by this shivery sensation.
6. Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels can make the body feel cold and shaky. Glucose is a primary energy source, and insufficient levels can impair the body’s ability to generate heat, resulting in shivering and discomfort.
7. Stress and Anxiety
Emotional stress can affect the autonomic nervous system, causing blood vessels to constrict and reduce heat circulation. Anxiety can also trigger shivering and the sensation of cold, even in adequately warm surroundings.
Symptoms to Watch For
Persistent coldness is sometimes accompanied by other signs that indicate an underlying health issue. Recognizing these symptoms can help in seeking timely medical advice.
- Constant fatigue or weakness
- Pale or bluish skin
- Frequent shivering even in warm environments
- Slow heart rate or irregular heartbeat
- Weight changes without reason
- Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
Aside from medical conditions, lifestyle and environmental elements can contribute to always feeling shivery and cold. Addressing these factors may provide relief without medical intervention.
1. Clothing and Layering
Wearing insufficient or inappropriate clothing for the weather can make the body lose heat quickly. Layering clothes, using thermal fabrics, and wearing hats and gloves in cold environments can help maintain warmth.
2. Diet and Nutrition
Proper nutrition supports the body’s metabolism and energy production. Diets low in iron, protein, or essential vitamins may impair heat generation. Ensuring adequate calorie intake and nutrient-rich foods helps maintain body warmth.
3. Hydration
Dehydration can reduce blood volume and impair circulation, making the body feel colder. Drinking enough water throughout the day supports proper circulation and temperature regulation.
4. Physical Activity
Regular exercise boosts circulation and metabolism, which can help the body generate more heat. Sedentary behavior may exacerbate feelings of cold and shivering.
Medical Evaluation and Diagnosis
If persistent coldness and shivering continue despite lifestyle adjustments, consulting a healthcare professional is essential. Medical evaluation may include
- Blood tests to check for anemia, thyroid function, and blood sugar levels
- Cardiovascular examinations to assess circulation
- Checking for infections or other underlying conditions
- Review of medications that may affect temperature regulation
Managing and Treating Persistent Coldness
Depending on the underlying cause, several approaches can help alleviate the sensation of always feeling shivery and cold.
1. Treating Medical Conditions
Addressing conditions like hypothyroidism, anemia, or hypoglycemia can resolve chronic cold sensations. Treatments may involve medications, dietary supplements, or hormone therapy, depending on the diagnosis.
2. Improving Circulation
Activities that enhance blood flow, such as aerobic exercises, stretching, and massage, can help distribute warmth throughout the body. Avoiding prolonged exposure to cold and quitting smoking, which constricts blood vessels, also improves circulation.
3. Adjusting Lifestyle Habits
Wearing warm clothing, eating nutrient-rich meals, staying hydrated, and maintaining a regular exercise routine are simple yet effective measures to reduce shivering and improve comfort.
4. Stress Management
Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can reduce anxiety-related cold sensations. Managing stress helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, which plays a key role in maintaining body temperature.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Always feeling shivery and cold can be a sign of a serious underlying condition. Seek medical attention if symptoms include
- Persistent or worsening fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Severe or frequent shivering spells
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Neurological symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or fainting
Feeling constantly shivery and cold is more than an uncomfortable sensation; it may indicate health issues ranging from anemia and hypothyroidism to poor circulation and low blood sugar. Understanding the possible causes, recognizing associated symptoms, and evaluating lifestyle factors are essential steps toward addressing this condition. Simple measures like dressing warmly, staying active, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress can improve comfort, while medical evaluation ensures that serious underlying conditions are identified and treated. By taking a proactive approach, individuals can manage persistent coldness, enhance their quality of life, and maintain better overall health.
In essence, always feeling shivery and cold serves as a signal from the body that something may be out of balance. Paying attention to these signs and taking appropriate actions whether through lifestyle adjustments or medical intervention can help restore warmth, comfort, and well-being, ensuring that the body functions optimally regardless of external temperatures.